What is HP EliteBoard G1a? A Keyboard That Works as an AI PC (Review)

For decades, the desktop PC has looked the same: a screen on the desk, a keyboard in front of it, and a computer hidden somewhere out of sight. HP decided to question that entire setup.

The HP EliteBoard G1a doesn’t sit under your desk or behind your monitor; it is your desk computer. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary business keyboard. But beneath the keys lives a full Windows AI PC, powerful enough to replace a laptop or mini desktop, and smart enough to adapt to the way modern work actually happens.

In this review, I’ll break down what the HP EliteBoard G1a is, how it works, and why HP believes the future of work starts with the keyboard itself.

The EliteBoard G1a is being positioned as the world’s first true AI PC built entirely into a keyboard.

Rather than relying on a bulky tower, a mini PC, or even a traditional laptop, HP has compressed a complete Windows AI system into a slim, low-profile keyboard that connects directly to external displays, which turns the keyboard itself into the computer.

Features of HP EliteBoard G1a

• An AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series processor
• Up to 50 TOPS NPU for on-device AI workloads
• Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM and 2TB NVMe storage
• Built-in speakers, microphones, a cooling fan, and enterprise-grade ports

Plug it into a display, power it on, pair the included Bluetooth mouse, and you’re working, no laptop lid, dock, or desktop tower required.

HP’s own research shows that most professionals now work with laptops closed, connected to external monitors. That makes the built-in screen, hinge, and battery largely redundant.

The EliteBoard G1a removes that redundancy entirely.

By eliminating the display, HP created:

• A lighter, more portable desktop experience
• A cleaner, clutter-free desk setup
• A device optimized for hot-desking, hybrid work, and shared offices

In short, HP isn’t shrinking the desktop, but it’s redefining it.

Design and Typing Experience

From the outside, the EliteBoard G1a looks deliberately ordinary. That’s part of its appeal.

• Ultra-thin profile (around 12–17mm depending on configuration)
• Weight starting at roughly 750g (1.6 lbs)
• Full-size layout with numpad
• Quiet, low-profile keys with ~2mm travel

The typing experience feels closer to a premium business laptop keyboard than a mechanical desktop board. It won’t thrill keyboard enthusiasts, but it’s comfortable, quiet, and clearly designed for long office sessions.

While it won’t replace a high-end workstation, performance is firmly in premium laptop territory.

With AMD’s Ryzen AI processors and a dedicated NPU:

• Every day productivity is fast and responsive
• AI-assisted features like transcription, summarization, and Copilot tasks run locally
• Multi-monitor setups are supported, including dual and even quad 4K displays

For knowledge workers, IT environments, and enterprise deployments, it delivers more than enough power in an unexpectedly compact form.

One standout feature is the optional built-in battery (around 35Wh). This isn’t meant for mobile computing in cafés. Instead, it acts as:

• A short-term backup power source
• A way to move desks or conference rooms without shutting down
• A built-in UPS for critical workflows

HP also offers a battery-free version for fixed installations like reception desks or kiosks.

The EliteBoard G1a is clearly built with enterprises in mind:

• HP Wolf Security for Business with hardware-enforced protection
• Defense against firmware attacks and future quantum threats
• Optional fingerprint reader
• Lockable, tethered cable support
• Serviceable design with replaceable components

For IT teams, this is a manageable, secure alternative to laptops and mini PCs.

HP says the EliteBoard G1a is expected to launch on HP.com in March 2026.

Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s expected to align closer to premium business laptops than consumer keyboards.

The HP EliteBoard G1a isn’t trying to replace every PC. Instead, it targets a very real problem: modern workers using laptops like desktops. By turning the keyboard into the computer, HP has created a device that feels:

• Genuinely innovative
• Surprisingly practical
• Perfectly suited for hybrid and enterprise work

As both news and a review, the takeaway is clear: “This isn’t a gimmick, it’s HP quietly reshaping what a desktop PC looks like in the AI era.” If this form factor expands into consumer models in the future, the keyboard PC may become one of CES 2026’s most influential ideas.